30 years ago the resorts of Marmaris and Bodrum were unknown and these small towns were really just local fishing villages. But with the love affair of cheap holiday deals with us Brits, it wasn’t long before we wanted to explore further afield. Especially as charter flights were getting cheaper and foreign holidays becoming essential for most Britons. Bodrum and Marmaris have now become one with whichever of the Spanish Costas the British traveler frequented, and many pub crawls in September further promoted it by word of mouth and rave reviews.

It was cheap and very, very lively, with great beaches and friendly people, and most importantly, it was new. Of course, our constant longing for something new is what makes us discover new horizons, and with this in mind, we Brits discovered the Turkish Riviera or what is also known as the Antalya region.

Actually, the truth is that it was not us who discovered anything, it was the Germans and generally Europeans who were the first to discover this region of Turkey (apart from the locals, they always knew it was there!). The city of Antalya is, in fact, one of the largest cities in Turkey and what distinguishes the entire Antalya region and the network of what we call cheap holiday resorts is that none of them are purpose-built resorts, unlike the ones you see when you go on a trip. cheap holidays in Marmaris and Icmeler, but authentic real towns and cities, most of them with a few thousand years of history behind them, and stretching along the bay of Antalya there are several hundred kilometers of sandy beaches, most of them virgin, and please don’t think of intact as a dirty word for those of you looking for a little more fun in the sun. Lots of fun to be had if that’s your cup of tea. From Side to Lara Beach, it would be hard to get bored; bars and restaurants, small chic boutiques and lokantas are scattered throughout.

Due to its location south of the Antalya area (Turkish Riviera), this part of Turkey’s coastline is operational twelve months a year, temperatures during the winter months are rarely below fifteen degrees, and if you go on vacation there in November you can still swim in the sea and walk around in your summer clothes. You will also find a varied and rich cultural environment, especially around Side (pronounced See-day), which is approximately seventy-five kilometers from Antalya, the ancient Roman Agora is incorporated into the modern shopping plaza and, for at least a kilometer walking. from the colorful port towards the city center of Side, the sea can be seen from both sides of the road.

Due to the size of Side, you’ll find most of the hotels spread out along the perimeter of Side rather than in the city center; Most of these local resorts like Manavgat, Kumkoy and Sorgun have cheap deals on four and five star hotels offering All Inclusive food, and a dolmus (the preferred means of transport in Turkey) will take around twenty minutes to the center of Side, however, in the height of the summer season, the center of Side is pedestrianized and you will have to walk about a kilometer to reach the picturesque port and all the restaurants and fish restaurants that are located there.

Antalya is the largest city in southern Turkey and has a fascinating history and incredible mountainous scenery. Legend has it that King Attalos II asked his courtiers to find heaven on earth and after finding the ancient city of Antalya lying in ruins, Antalya was rebuilt and turned into one of the glittering jewels of the Mediterranean! Apart from the fantastic tales and colorful legends, the historical importance of the area, modern tourists will definitely have a lot to do and the resorts in that region are becoming even more popular and well-known than Antalya itself. Lara Beach resort to name but one has become a popular favorite with British tourists, the hotels there are of exceptional quality and all offer All Inclusive and in some cases Ultra All Inclusive, the latter offering a almost luxury cruise food. experience but on land, with food and drink available 24 hours and full day and night entertainment and mini clubs for the kids who need to be entertained so parents can have a vacation too.

Belek, the furthest from Antalya, is in fact the only purpose built super resort in the area with over fifty four and five star hotels and some of the best golf courses in Europe, easily rivaling Spain and the Algarve. The immaculate green of the Belek golf course is beginning to attract more and more professional golfers and the lack of euro money problems and the mild, dry climate that the area enjoys in the winter is a definite plus. How can the Antalya region be described; it is almost a country in its own right with its own climate and history its many resorts and its own airport it has much to offer to any type of traveler, from the adventurer and the history buff, through families with small children and teenagers to honeymooners looking for a romantic getaway and lastly for cult golfers, who often travel in large groups, the Antalya region has to be the near-perfect vacation destination.